French hostages home after 10 months captivity in Syria

BBC Online

Nicolas Henin (L), former French hostage and journalist, is greeted by his family moments after the arrival of the ex-hostages by helicopter from Evreux to the military airbase in Villacoulbay, near Paris, April 20, 2014. Photo Reuters

Four French journalists have arrived back in France after their release from 10 months of captivity in Syria.

Edouard Elias, Didier Francois, Nicolas Henin and Pierre Torres were greeted by their families as well as President Hollande as they landed at a military base outside Paris.

They had been found by Turkish soldiers on the Syrian border late on Friday.

The jihadist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has been accused of kidnapping them.

Welcoming them at Villacoublay air base, south of Paris, President Hollande called it a "day of great joy" both for the four journalists and for France.

Former French hostages and journalists Didier Francois (L) and Edouard Elias (R), who waves, look toward awaiting media from inside their helicopter at their arrival to the military airbase in Villacoulbay, near Paris. Photo: Reuters

"France is proud that these compatriots serve the freedom of the press and France is proud to have been able to secure their liberty," he said.